Annual Congressional Dinner
68th Annual Congressional Dinner, February 8, 2012
Thanks to all our speakers, guests and sponsors for making the 68th Annual Congressional Dinner a success.
Here's what they're saying about the dinner:
Proving that the tenants in the Capitol can get along, at least to enough to poke fun at themselves and their media hosts at the 68th Annual Congressional Dinner. Close to 750 journalists, Capitol Hill lawmakers, Hill staffers and invited guests gathered for an evening of good natured fun.
Opening Washington "prom season" was the Washington Post's Dana Milbank as master of ceremonies, bringing his witty humor to lend a hand in distributing the David Lynch and Lifetime Achievement awards plus warming up the crowd for the headliners for the evening. Sen. Jeanne Shaheen, from New Hampshire, got the ball rolling and the crowd chuckling as the first speaker. She was followed by Rep. Bobby Long, from Missouri, who had everyone in stitches, ensuring that from now on he'll no longer be confused for any number of other lawmakers. Nobly winding up the program was Rep. Linda Sanchez who masterfully closed the evening with some great bits of her own. Special guests for the evening include Sen. John Cornyn, chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Committee; House Minority Whip, Congressman Steny Hoyer; Rep. John Carter, secretary of the House Republican Conference; Sen. Charles Schumer, vice chairman of the Senate Democratic Conference and chairman of the Senate Democratic Policy Committee.
Edith M Lederer of the Associated Press was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award and Karoun Demirjian, Las Vegas Sun, was presented with the David Lynch Prize for Regional Reporting.
This annual widely attended event brings together members of the Washington press corps and the members of Congress they cover for an evening bipartisan banter and barbs to benefit one of D.C.'s leading journalism organization. Inaugurated by the Women's National Press Club in the early 1940's the event is among the oldest of the year's media galas.
The 69th Congressional Dinner will be held in February of 2013, details will be announced later in the year. If you would like information on how to become an event sponsor and be invited by the Foundation to also purchase seats at the dinner please contact the Foundation's Executive Director, Suzanne Pierron, at spierron@wpcf.org.
For photos of the 2012 dinner or previous events visit our facebook page or click on the links below
2012 68th Annual Congressional Dinner Video